Hoosier State of Mind
Fansided

Indiana Basketball: State of the program moving forward

By Tyler Smith

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 19: Archie Miller the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers gives instructions to his team against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 19, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 19: Archie Miller the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers gives instructions to his team against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 19, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 15: Rob Phinisee #10 of the Indiana Hoosiers hits the game-winning shot against the Butler Bulldogs in the second half of the Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 15, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indiana won 71-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 15: Rob Phinisee #10 of the Indiana Hoosiers hits the game-winning shot against the Butler Bulldogs in the second half of the Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 15, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indiana won 71-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3.  Player development

A common mistake fans of college basketball make- assuming your team will be the same except for replacing the seniors with freshmen.  Player development is more important to your success than your recruiting class.

Rob Phinisee reminds me of Yogi Ferrell. They actually have similar numbers as freshmen.  Can Phinisee take the same sophomore jump that Ferrell took?  I’m not sure.  But I do expect Phinisee to take a big step next year. This is a four-year player that will be a centerpiece for the future success of the program.

Justin Smith. Just as fans shouldn’t write off next season, they shouldn’t write off Justin Smith.  He’s been frustrating to watch at times, but the talent is there.  Remember Juwan Morgan’s massive leap his junior year?  Justin Smith is capable of taking one himself.  He’s already put up big numbers in several games this season.  Maybe he will reach his full potential with some consistency as a junior.

The other guys. Al Durham, De’Ron Davis and Devonte Green’s senior seasons, Race Thompson, Clifton Moore, and some of the freshmen that haven’t played much-  If even a few of these guys take a leap forward in production, this is going to be a good basketball team.

Home/Indiana Basketball